Opinion

I am a fan of words. I like the sound of words. I like how writers use words and I like to use them myself. I was not aware of writers as a child reader. My family had an encyclopedia set, which came with...

Each holiday season comes with high expectations for happy, carefree gatherings. It’s all too true, however, that once the calendar turns to November, feelings of sadness or anxiety can sometimes take hold. Beyond major depression or severe anxiety disorders (which require professional help), it’s common...

Some years back, not so very many, I was prepared to say that I had done all the traveling my pocketbook would allow and I was content with that until in October of last year an opportunity arose, to wit: money. I had set...

If you have been a reader of my scribbling, you are aware that I’m not a huge fan of the computer age. I use it often, but I sure hate to. It seems like I’m always having a problem with an assignment or order...

We worked together at the Salinas newspaper. When I say, “worked together,” she was on the computer side of things and I worked in advertising and management; plus, it was a huge building. In other words, she fixed what I broke. We didn’t know each other really,...

Have you heard the news? We have gained a new state. Yeah, I know you didn’t know of that because it just hasn’t been made clear to you. Oh, I’m sure you have been watching our leaders as they hand over OUR tax money...

Local column by Joanne Banuelos

Brain health is a critical piece of our overall health. Our amazing (and still mysterious) brain underlies our ability to communicate, make decisions, problem-solve and live a productive and useful life. At Mee Memorial Healthcare System, we will observe the 10th annual World Brain Day...

Boo. You may think it odd to start a column with a single word, but my curiosity led to research that informs us "boo" is one of the most uttered words in the American lexicon, used both to scare others and show displeasure. The...